Considering a V8

[mfgriggs]

Hi everyone,
I have decided that I would like to have a 914 V8. I dont really want to start from scratch so I thought I might buy one that is completed or near completion.

What do you guys think of these candidates?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2483164901&category=6430

and

1972 914 V8


Thanks

[Jason Porter]

I personally like the evilBay car myself. From what I COULD see, it looks very well put together.

The Renegade car is nice to though, and those guys really know how to do one of these right. (If your idea of right is a V8, which I like...redneck).

You're theory of spending less on someone else's heartaches is a good one. This is the type of conversion, if done right, that will make a grown man cry, or at least use a lot of bad language. Not to mention cost a small fortune, notice the eBay car has close to $30,000 invested, which I don't doubt.

Make sure if you can't go see it yourself, you have a neutral party you can trust go look at it for you. And good luck with the cops after you get caught doin' that first smokey burnout!

[sean_V8_914]

Do IT!!! I bought someones project V8 for $3k . ugly Rayco body kit and handled like crap but the parts were all the good stuff. 3 months of smiles and about 50 hrs of wrench time later, the car drives like a dream. mellow in town, good gas milage and 400 ponnies on tap. Handling is tight and predictable on the track and teh street. anyone who bad-mouths a v8 914 has obviously never owned one or lacks the skills required to make it sing. Oh, it is quieter on teh freeway than the 4 banger.

[914GT]

I second Sean. They are one fun ride when done right. Nothing like the sound of a Chevy coming from a nice looking 914. I did my own mods, working from a rusted basket-case car, now it turns heads. I don't have anywhere near $30K in mine - maybe $6K but at least half of that was all the expensive 914 parts needed to 'restore' it, nothing to do with the V8. It was a great project and learned so many things in the process. I would do it again.

[sean_V8_914]

I wish my ride looked as sweet as Guys. I drove past the hot rod shop this weekend and the engine sound brought him out to look so I circled back and he said some inspiring words. " This years beater, next year it will be neater

[skline]

I have been in Seans car, and although it may be ugly, it really moves out. It motivated me to get mine done, only a few more days and I should be able to fire it up. It goes to the muffler shop this week and with any luck, I will fire her up for the first time this weekend. I hope it is at least close to what Seans is, if so, I am going to really love it.

[sean_V8_914]

Scott, it is a very different car since you saw it. Much faster, smoother, quieter, less rattles and most significant change would be the handling. I really like the custom mods you did to the Chalon kit. PS. I primered my car all grey, it looks alot better now.

MFGRIGGS, are you going to buy one of the cars?

[914GT]

I got to ride in this car today - http://www.vintagesteelcustoms.com/67_corvette.htm
Beautiful car. Didn't get to drive it, but I think my 914 V8 would outrun it and definitely out maneuver it. I could really tell how much heavier it felt even with 400HP pushing it. I guess it's not fair comparing the advanced technology of 1974 with 1967 though. I'd still like to own it though.

[mfgriggs]

"MFGRIGGS, are you going to buy one of the cars?"

I have a 67 Mustang convertible that I would like to sell/trade before I buy a 914 V8.(Implied...The wife will not allow a 5th car in the driveway) I have not even started advertising my car yet so I doubt these two would be around when I am ready to buy. For now I am just trying to learn as much about these cars as possible......BTW...If you know anyone that is looking to buy a mustang or swap a 914 V8 for it let me know.

[sean_V8_914]

american muscle car VS german sports car on steroids...apples and oranges. Can ya'll imagine the brute torque of a big bock in our 2k lbs cars. That is why there are so few real cobras left alive. Mark Donahue would be proud.
Guy, have you stuck your foot in it yet? (your car)

[914GT]

Sean, I've pushed it about as hard as I want to go with but keeping it hooked up. That said I can tell there's lots of power left but city streets aren't where I want to find its limitations. I know it will easily smoke the tires if I let loose on it - a wheel/tire upgrade is what it needs. But it's plenty fun and fast just the way it is now. These things are hard to drive like a regular car, it's too damn tempting to want to push that accelerator pedal down all the time just to drive over to the supermarket.

[sean_V8_914]

nothin' like a race (AX) to shake those bugs out...thats how I found all my "corrections". It is a well controlled environment to learn your car's limits, and yours. I would consider a driving school of significant benefit to your safety considering the power we now have at the rears.

[skline]

Here ya go Sean, this is where it is today, I should be taking it to the muffler shop tomorrow or Thursday. Its coming along. Soon, very soon.

I will take a few more tomorrow in the daylight with the cover off to get a whole picture. I may even put the front hood on for it.

[sean_V8_914]

wait till you hear those open hedders. whoa! the wheels look like automotive jewelery, bling, bling

[AJS]

skline,

I'm about ready to start on my conversion and have a question. I assume you're using the trans mount that moves it back 1 1/4", and the Chevy 6 cylinder crank dampener. The question is what is the crankshaft centerline vertical distance in relation to the engine shelf on the firewall? Is the centerline above or below the shelf, and by how much? Thanks in advance.

Andy

[skline]

The dampner is the one from Renegade, older stock but it sits 2 inches below the engine shelf. So the center would be about 6 inches below it, I think it was a 6 inch dampner. I never measured it. And yes, I am running the spacers also from Renegade that moves the trans back.

[sean_V8_914]

Renegade Harmonic balancer is a V8 Chevy unit with the belt grooves cut into it

[skline]

Originally posted by sean_V8_914
Renegade Harmonic balancer is a V8 Chevy unit with the belt grooves cut into it

I heard it was a six balancer, but you just never know. You could always call Scott out there at Renegade, he would tell you.

[Joe Bob]

I have one that is for sale.....

[skline]

Originally posted by mikez
I have one that is for sale.....

Hey Mikey, How much? The one on mine has a piece broken on it. Or are you talking about the whole car?